Acts of Service

Acts of Service

John 21:15-19

Me:

Lots of confusion

a. Mid-week bible study

i. We have been looking at the 4th purpose

ii. “You were shaped for serving God”

b. My misconception

i. I confess I find this easy

ii. But I have a lifetime of ministry

iii. We would be in a sad state of affairs if I didn’t know what my calling was.

iv. Plus my calling was a dramatic event

v. However, it was two years in the making

vi. I think it should be easy for you too.

We:

Let’s go on a journey

Don’t sit and soak

i. How serious is it that we “serve”

ii. 1 Corinthians 3:5–6 (GW) — 5 Who is Apollos? Who is Paul? They are servants who helped you come to faith. Each did what the Lord gave him to do.

6 I planted, and Apollos watered, but God made it grow.

1 Corinthians 3:5–6 NLT

After all, who is Apollos? Who is Paul? We are only God’s servants through whom you believed the Good News. Each of us did the work the Lord gave us. I planted the seed in your hearts, and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow.

iii. When we serve, we bring people into the kingdom of God

iv. So yes, it is serious

b. So how do I know what to do.

i. How do I find my place of ministry?

c. SHAPE

i. Your ‘SHAPE” can be a guide

ii. It’s a tool that you can use.

iii. But I’ve missed a secret ingredient

God:

The Secret of Service.

a. A fishing trip

i. Jesus has been crucified

ii. Jesus has risen from the dead

iii. Peter had denied knowing Jesus three times

b. John 21:1-17

John 21:1–17 NLT

Later, Jesus appeared again to the disciples beside the Sea of Galilee. This is how it happened. Several of the disciples were there—Simon Peter, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples. Simon Peter said, “I’m going fishing.” “We’ll come, too,” they all said. So they went out in the boat, but they caught nothing all night. At dawn Jesus was standing on the beach, but the disciples couldn’t see who he was. He called out, “Fellows, have you caught any fish?” “No,” they replied. Then he said, “Throw out your net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you’ll get some!” So they did, and they couldn’t haul in the net because there were so many fish in it. Then the disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his tunic (for he had stripped for work), jumped into the water, and headed to shore. The others stayed with the boat and pulled the loaded net to the shore, for they were only about a hundred yards from shore. When they got there, they found breakfast waiting for them—fish cooking over a charcoal fire, and some bread. “Bring some of the fish you’ve just caught,” Jesus said. So Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net to the shore. There were 153 large fish, and yet the net hadn’t torn. “Now come and have some breakfast!” Jesus said. None of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. Then Jesus served them the bread and the fish. This was the third time Jesus had appeared to his disciples since he had been raised from the dead. After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.” “Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him. Jesus repeated the question: “Simon son of John, do you love me?” “Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “you know I love you.” “Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said. A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep.

i. What a story

ii. Jesus didn’t ask Peter about his doctrine/denomination

iii. Jesus didn’t ask for Peter to repent of his sins

iv. Jesus didn’t ask Peter “Are you keeping my commandments?”

v. Jesus didn’t ask Peter what kind of music he liked

vi. Jesus didn’t ask Peter if he was a good preacher

vii. Jesus didn’t ask Peter any of things we deem most important.

Jesus only asks one question.

i. That question is followed by an act of service

ii. When we love Jesus “feed the sheep” is a by product

You:

Do you love me?

a. How you become a good servant

i. I love to preach – but doesn’t make me a good preacher

ii. I love Grace Church more than life itself – but that doesn’t make me a good pastor

iii. I love my family – but that doesn’t make me a good husband, father, grandfather

iv. How you love Jesus the key to how well you do all those things

b. Do you love me?

i. God puts something on your heart

ii. God speaks to you about this or that

iii. You hear God’s calling when you have a heart of Love toward Jesus

c. Do you love me?

i. How do you build your love toward love Jesus?

ii. Get to know Jesus by spending time with him

iii. The more years I spend with Tina

iv. As you participate in the church you grow to love us more

v. Will you do this perfect?

vi. You will not

vii. But as you practice you will get better

viii. I didn’t start preaching yesterday

ix. It was bad in the beginning

x. But I loved Jesus

We:

Peter did love Jesus

a. The day of Pentecost

i. Peter preached and 3000 were saved.

ii. Pray this simple prayer

Jesus I love you